“Thank you, sir. I’m glad to be back.” Ted smiled. “What about Jack and Stew?” the Commander asked. “We’ve heard from them, sir. They’ve got some sort of radio. They’re on a small island not far from the spot where we sank that Jap flat-top.” “Good! We’ll be passing within a hundred miles of the spot early tomorrow morning. Perhaps you would like to have a try at rescuing them.” The Commander gave Ted a friendly smile. “Nothing would please me more, sir!” was the quick reply. “Jack’s from my home town, you know.” “I didn’t know, but then you certainly shall have the assignment.” “I shall take off at dawn, sir.” “Good! And here’s luck to you. Do your best. We shall need those men in our next effort.” “I’ll bring them back, sir.” Ted saluted. The Commander returned the salute, and they parted. “Wonder if that was a rash promise?” Ted thought. “Not if I can help it!” He clenched both hands hard, then opened them and flexed his fingers. “Have to relax,” he told himself. “That’s part of the game.” He was up before dawn. He gulped coffee and doughnuts, and was ready for his plane, already warming up. Blackie and Red were there to see him off. “Wish we were going along,” said Blackie. “Don’t we, though!” Red agreed. “No such luck. We’ve got to lead some of those rookie fliers in practice maneuvers. They’re pretty good, but for what we’re going into next they’ve got to be better.” “Mindanao, that’s right.” Ted had one foot on his plane. “Mindanao seems to be what we were born for. We’ve dreamed of it for weeks now. Well, so long, boys! Wish me luck!” He climbed into his plane. “So long! Best of luck!” Red called. “Yes, and have a fine trip!” Blackie added. In his light, powerful fighter Ted climbed for the clouds. There weren’t many, but those he saw were immense. “Once you’re inside one of those babies you’re as good as lost,” he told himself. Climbing through one of these he soared away, glorying in the wonderful beauties of the sunrise. “The heavens declare the glory of God,” he repeated slowly. “And the firmament showeth His handiwork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge.” If we could read half the things written in the skies we’d be mighty wise, he thought. After that for quite some time he sailed on, not thinking much about anything, just storing up energy for what lay ahead. And he was to need all the energy and wisdom he possessed. He had covered the greater part of the distance to his destination, had picked out the island on which he believed his friends to be marooned, and was heading straight for it when he began to hear a strange, low, screaming noise. “Rats!” he exclaimed. “Something’s wrong with my motor!” Shutting off the gas, he glided silently downward, but still that strange sound reached his ears. “Not my motor,” he thought, sending his ship shooting forward once more. “That’s the queerest thing I ever heard.”